U.S. patent application number 16/048261 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-22 for appliance for made-in-home personal care products and household cleaners.
The applicant listed for this patent is Reed Quinn, Spencer Quinn. Invention is credited to Reed Quinn, Spencer Quinn.
Application Number | 20180333694 16/048261 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58690479 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180333694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quinn; Reed ; et
al. |
November 22, 2018 |
APPLIANCE FOR MADE-IN-HOME PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS AND HOUSEHOLD
CLEANERS
Abstract
An appliance for producing a personal care product. The
appliance includes a reaction chamber configured to receive one or
more ingredients of the personal care product. The reaction chamber
includes a mechanism for mixing ingredients and an extruding
mechanism. The appliance also includes a sensor configured to
determine one or more conditions in the reaction chamber, the one
or more conditions includes at least a pH of the personal care
product. The appliance further includes a cartridge, where the
cartridge holds at least one of the one or more ingredients of the
personal care product. The appliance additionally includes an
output port configured to allow removal of the personal care
product from the reaction chamber.
Inventors: |
Quinn; Reed; (Orem, UT)
; Quinn; Spencer; (Orem, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Quinn; Reed
Quinn; Spencer |
Orem
Orem |
UT
UT |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58690479 |
Appl. No.: |
16/048261 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15353489 |
Nov 16, 2016 |
10046301 |
|
|
16048261 |
|
|
|
|
62255966 |
Nov 16, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F 15/0022 20130101;
B01F 2215/0031 20130101; B01F 13/1063 20130101; B01J 19/18
20130101; B01F 15/00246 20130101; B01J 2219/00051 20130101; B01F
15/029 20130101; B01J 2219/00168 20130101; B01J 19/0006 20130101;
B01F 13/0818 20130101; B01F 11/0065 20130101; B01F 15/06 20130101;
B01F 15/00175 20130101; B01J 2219/00177 20130101; B01J 19/0066
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01J 19/18 20060101
B01J019/18; B01F 13/08 20060101 B01F013/08; B01J 19/00 20060101
B01J019/00; B01F 13/10 20060101 B01F013/10; B01F 15/00 20060101
B01F015/00; B01F 15/02 20060101 B01F015/02 |
Claims
1. An appliance for producing a personal care product, the
appliance comprising: a reaction chamber configured to receive one
or more ingredients of the personal care product, the reaction
chamber including: a mechanism for mixing ingredients; and an
extruding mechanism; a sensor configured to determine one or more
conditions in the reaction chamber, the one or more conditions
includes at least a pH of the personal care product; a cartridge,
wherein the cartridge holds at least one of the one or more
ingredients of the personal care product; and an output port
configured to allow removal of the personal care product from the
reaction chamber.
2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the reaction chamber includes
a pouch.
3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for mixing
ingredients includes a stir bar.
4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the stir bar is
mechanical.
5. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the stir bar is magnetic.
6. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the reaction chamber includes
a heater.
7. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the extruding mechanism
includes one or more rollers.
8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the personal care product
includes at least one of: a hand soap; a laundry soap; a dish soap;
a shampoo; a conditioner; a body wash; an antiseptic; a detergent;
or a house-hold cleaner.
9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the personal care product
includes at least one of: a lotion; a shaving cream; a balm; an
ointment; a rub; an aftershave; a perfume; a moisturizer; or a
deodorant.
10. An appliance for producing a personal care product, the
appliance comprising: a reaction chamber configured to receive one
or more ingredients of the personal care product, the reaction
chamber including: a mechanism for mixing ingredients; and an
extruding mechanism; a sensor configured to determine one or more
conditions in the reaction chamber, the one or more conditions
includes at least a pH of the personal care product; a cartridge,
wherein the cartridge holds at least one of the one or more
ingredients of the personal care product; an interface, the
interface configured to receive the cartridge and allow the at
least one of the one or more ingredients of the personal care
product in the cartridge to move into the reaction chamber; and an
output port configured to allow removal of the personal care
product from the reaction chamber.
11. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the one or more conditions
includes the viscosity of the personal care product.
12. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the one or more conditions
includes the temperature of the personal care product.
13. An appliance for producing a personal care product, the
appliance comprising: a reaction chamber configured to receive one
or more ingredients of the personal care product, the reaction
chamber including: a mechanism for mixing ingredients; and an
extruding mechanism, wherein the extruding mechanism includes one
or more rollers; a sensor configured to determine one or more
conditions in the reaction chamber, the one or more conditions
includes at least a pH of the personal care product; a cartridge,
wherein the cartridge: holds at least one of the one or more
ingredients of the personal care product; and includes a filter; an
interface, the interface configured to receive the cartridge and
allow the at least one of the one or more ingredients of the
personal care product in the cartridge to move into the reaction
chamber; an output port configured to allow removal of the personal
care product from the reaction chamber; and a control board,
wherein the control board includes a user interface configured to
receive one or more commands from a user.
14. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the interface includes one
or more valves.
15. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the control board tracks at
least one of: a type of an input into the appliance; an amount of
an input into the appliance; a type of an output from the
appliance; or an amount of an output from the appliance.
16. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the control board is
configured to adjust one or more batch settings.
17. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the one or more batch
settings include at least one of: a reaction time; a ratio of
ingredients; a batch viscosity; an amount of fragrance; an amount
of abrasives; or an amount of active ingredient.
18. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the user interface allows
the user to do at least one of: input the one or more commands;
control a batch setting; download a batch setting; create a batch
setting; save a batch setting; share a batch setting; upload a
batch setting; save a batch setting; order an ingredient for a
selected batch setting; link with an online account; link with a
website; link with a payment processor; unlock the cartridge; or
show a batch status.
19. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the one or more batch
settings include a batch size.
20. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the one or more batch
settings include an amount of color.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims the
benefit of and priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/353,489 filed on Nov. 16, 2016, which application is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/353,489 claims the
benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 62/255,966 filed on Nov. 16, 2015, which application is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The recent trend toward made-in-home has been driven by both
the proliferation and decreasing cost of many prototyping
technologies and by consumers increasing awareness and distrust of
mass-produced products.
[0004] The increasing desire of consumers to understand what is in
a product and how it is made are largely driven by increased
awareness of and concern about existing mass-produced products':
[0005] Carbon foot print [0006] Environmental impact [0007] Country
of origin [0008] Social impact [0009] Harmful or wasteful packaging
[0010] Excessive shipping [0011] Harmful ingredients (non-organic,
non-bio-degradable, potential allergens or carcinogens etc.)
[0012] The general perception is that local-made/homemade products
have superior quality, less environmental impact, and are safer
because they have fewer unknowns. Distrust and decreasing cost of
made-at-home technologies are not the only drivers of this trend.
There are also complementary trends toward increased customization,
entrepreneurship, self-sufficiency and early adoption.
[0013] Current products on the market that are designed to enable
consumers to manufacture at home often fall short of consumers'
expectations. Using 3D printers as the standard example of the
current made-in-home appliance, the following is a summary of
common problems faced by these types of products. [0014] High
Cost--The cost of both 3D printers and the resins and hot melt
plastics they use are often many times more expensive than the
materials used in their mass-produced counterparts. Similarly, the
manufacturing cost are less efficient leading to much higher cost.
[0015] Complicated to Operate--3D printers often require additional
hardware, software and training to operate. [0016] Low
Capacity--Generally the output of a 3D printer is limited to a
single product at a time. In addition, the higher the resolution
(product quality) the slower the print speed. The inverse
relationship of speed and quality in 3D printing is extremely
limiting. [0017] Low Quality--Even with good 3D printers, the size
of the printing bed, the print resolution, the limited types,
colors and versatility of material often results in an inferior
product when compared with a production quality unit. [0018]
Inconvenient Customization--To use the full range of capabilities
of a 3D printer you need to have the software systems, and
experience to 3D model. There are some limited libraries of designs
but even modest customization of these designs like making them
bigger or smaller often requires 3D modeling software. The 3D
Printer also tend to be limited to a single material. This is
perhaps the single largest limiting factor. The number of products
that can be produced with a single material and a single
manufacturing process are extremely small when compared with
products produced with multiple materials and multiple processes.
[0019] Impractical--Most consumers currently view 3D printers as a
novelty item rather than a functional appliance. They may use them
for an occasional hobby project but rarely if ever for the same
task twice. It might be fun and interesting to print your own
custom chess set rather than buy a higher quality less expensive
version but it is not something that you will do more than
once.
[0020] Until 3D printing gets fast enough, cheap enough and
versatile enough to compete, in quality, and cost and accessibility
with mass-produced product, it will never be a seriously considered
alternative for those products.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject
matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the
scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0022] One example embodiment includes an appliance for producing a
personal care product. The appliance includes a reaction chamber
configured to receive one or more ingredients of the personal care
product. The reaction chamber includes a mechanism for mixing
ingredients and an extruding mechanism. The appliance also includes
a sensor configured to determine one or more conditions in the
reaction chamber, the one or more conditions includes at least a pH
of the personal care product. The appliance further includes a
cartridge, where the cartridge holds at least one of the one or
more ingredients of the personal care product. The appliance
additionally includes an output port configured to allow removal of
the personal care product from the reaction chamber.
[0023] Another example embodiment includes an appliance for
producing a personal care product. The appliance includes a
reaction chamber configured to receive one or more ingredients of
the personal care product. The reaction chamber includes a
mechanism for mixing ingredients and an extruding mechanism. The
appliance also includes a sensor configured to determine one or
more conditions in the reaction chamber, the one or more conditions
includes at least a pH of the personal care product. The appliance
further includes a cartridge, where the cartridge holds at least
one of the one or more ingredients of the personal care product.
The appliance additionally includes an interface, the interface
configured to receive the cartridge and allow the at least one of
the one or more ingredients of the personal care product in the
cartridge to move into the reaction chamber. The appliance moreover
includes an output port configured to allow removal of the personal
care product from the reaction chamber.
[0024] Another example embodiment includes an appliance for
producing a personal care product. The appliance includes a
reaction chamber configured to receive one or more ingredients of
the personal care product. The reaction chamber includes a
mechanism for mixing ingredients and an extruding mechanism, where
the extruding mechanism includes one or more rollers. The appliance
also includes a sensor configured to determine one or more
conditions in the reaction chamber, the one or more conditions
includes at least a pH of the personal care product. The appliance
further includes a cartridge, where the cartridge holds at least
one of the one or more ingredients of the personal care product and
includes a filter. The appliance additionally includes an
interface, the interface configured to receive the cartridge and
allow the at least one of the one or more ingredients of the
personal care product in the cartridge to move into the reaction
chamber. The appliance moreover includes an output port configured
to allow removal of the personal care product from the reaction
chamber. The appliance also includes a control board, where the
control board includes a user interface configured to receive one
or more commands from a user.
[0025] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice
of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] To further clarify various aspects of some example
embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description
of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated
embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered
limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example of an
appliance; and
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of one possible
embodiment of the appliance for producing a personal care
product.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like
structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is
understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic
representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not
limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn
to scale.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example of an
appliance 100. The appliance 100 allows a user to produce
made-in-home personal care products and household cleaners (as used
herein "personal care product" includes both personal care products
and household cleaners). The appliance 100 is an efficient,
low-cost, made-in-home, alternative to mass-produced consumer
products.
[0031] The appliance 100 offers at least the following seven
advantages over store bought products or other appliances: [0032]
1. Produces a consumable output--I.e., the personal care product is
something that is used up in preforming its function and needs to
be made repeatedly. Thus, the user is saved from repeatedly buying
the final product; [0033] 2. Produces a product that consumers
already use frequently--allows a user to make-at-home the personal
care product and as needed; [0034] 3. Generates many highly
customized outputs from relatively few ingredients--the fewer
ingredients the cheaper, more user-friendly, and less complex and
costly the appliance must be; [0035] 4. Uses readily available and
inexpensive inputs--the few simple ingredients are available from
many pre-existing and geographically decentralized (local)
suppliers and the consumer will be familiar with these ingredients
and regularly use them for other things; [0036] 5. Employs
relatively simple manufacturing processes--in general,
mass-produced products with complex manufacturing processes have
high economies of scale whereas products with simple manufacturing
processes are easier to create competitive made-in-home
substitutes; [0037] 6. Easy to operate--the appliance is
self-contained and intuitive without the need for additional
hardware, software or special training; and [0038] 7.
Inexpensive--Both inexpensive to purchase and to operate
[0039] Made-in-home products do have some cost advantage over some
mass-produced products. Mass produced products may have relatively
efficient and low manufacturing costs but relatively high costs to
consumer because of shipping, packaging, retail margins, branding,
advertising, lack of competition, lack of supply or high
willingness to pay. Made-in-Home production can compete most
effectively with products that have simple, low economies of scale
manufacturing processes and high shipping, packaging, retail
margins, branding or advertising costs. The appliance 100 meets all
of these criteria.
[0040] Soap, cleaners and other personal care products are consumed
in preforming their function, and have a large existing user base.
There are tens of thousands of types of these products, customized
by intended use, audience, strength, fragrance, etc. and most are
made from few generic ingredients. These products also tend to have
very simple manufacturing process (mostly measuring, mixing and
letting the ingredients react with each other) which help keep the
cost and complexity of the appliance and the output very low.
[0041] The appliance 100 could be used to produce a wide variety of
hand soap, laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, body
wash, antiseptic and all kinds of detergents and house-hold
cleaners. A similar or even the same device could also be used to
produce other household liquids, sprays, foams, gels etc. that
require the measuring mixing and reacting of ingredients. These
could include things like lotions, shaving creams, balms,
ointments, rubs, aftershaves, perfumes, moisturizers, deodorants,
and other personal care and household products.
[0042] FIG. 1 shows that the appliance 100 can include a reaction
chamber 102. The reaction chamber 102 allows the ingredients to be
combined or otherwise processed to produce the personal care
product. For example, the reaction chamber 102 can include a stir
bar (either mechanical or magnetic) or other mechanism for mixing
the ingredients within the reaction chamber 102. Additionally or
alternatively, the reaction chamber 102 can include a heater, an
ultrasonic bath or any other desired mechanism for facilitating
mixing or chemical reactions. Further, one of skill in the art will
appreciate that the size, shape or materials of the mixing chamber
102 can be used to promote the desired reaction.
[0043] In addition, the reaction chamber 102 may have a mechanism
for extruding the mixture out of the chamber. Further, the reaction
chamber 102 may be self-cleaning. I.e., the extruding mechanism may
be able to force all of the personal care product from the reaction
chamber 102 (or a sufficiently high percentage) such that the
reaction chamber 102 may be considered clean for future creation of
personal care product.
[0044] One example of a reaction chamber 102 includes a durable and
flexible pouch with valves at opposite ends and one or more
rollers. As the rollers squeeze together leaving a smaller gap and
roll up and down the length of the pouch they mix the ingredients
as they are forced together through the gap between the rollers
inside the chamber.
[0045] FIG. 1 also shows that the appliance 100 can include one or
more sensors 104. The sensors 104 allow for determining the
conditions in the reaction chamber 102. For example, the sensors
104 can determine viscosity, temperature, pH, or other physical or
chemical attributes of the personal care product. For example, in
the example above, the rollers could also include sensors that
could used to measure viscosity.
[0046] FIG. 1 further shows that the appliance 100 can include one
or more cartridges 106. The cartridges 106 are a container or
hopper that allow a user to view store and/or switch ingredients
for the personal care product. That is, the cartridge 106 is
configured to hold one or more ingredients for the personal care
product. The cartridge 106 can be changed by the user to produce
different personal care product. For example, a cartridge 106
holding one scent can be changed for a cartridge 106 holding a
different scent. The cartridge can be loaded with an ingredient by
the user or can come preloaded, as desired.
[0047] As used in the specification and the claims, the phrase
"configured to" denotes an actual state of configuration that
fundamentally ties recited elements to the physical characteristics
of the recited structure. That is, the phrase "configured to"
denotes that the element is structurally capable of performing the
cited element but need not necessarily be doing so at any given
time. Thus, the phrase "configured to" reaches well beyond merely
describing functional language or intended use since the phrase
actively recites an actual state of configuration.
[0048] One of skill in the art will appreciate that the user need
not use all of the ingredient within the cartridge before removing.
That is, the user may use a portion of the ingredient within the
cartridge and remove it from the appliance 100. Therefore, the
cartridge 106 may be closable to preserve unused ingredients or a
user can refill the cartridge 106. Likewise, the cartridge can
include a window, markings or some other identified that allows the
user to both identify the ingredient and how much remains within
the cartridge 106.
[0049] One of skill in the art will appreciate that the cartridge
106 can also be used to prepare the ingredient for use. For
example, the cartridge 106 can include a filter or distiller for
preparing water for use in the personal care product. Likewise, the
cartridge 106 can be used to heat or cool an ingredient if needed.
For example, if the cartridge 106 contains waxes or oils, the
cartridge 106 can be used to heat the wax or oil for use.
[0050] FIG. 1 additionally shows that the appliance 100 can include
an interface 108. The interface allows a user to attach the
cartridge 106 or multiple cartridges. That is, the interface 108 is
where ingredients for the personal care product transition to other
parts of the appliance (e.g., the reaction chamber 102) for mixing
or other processing. One of skill in the art will appreciate that
the interface 108 may be purely mechanical (i.e., just an
attachment point for the cartridge 106 relative to the appliance
100), can include a gate or other device which can control the
passage of ingredient from the cartridge 106 or can include an
electrical connection. For example, the electrical connection can
allow for the appliance 100 to read the contents of the cartridge
106, provide power to the cartridge 106 to allow the cartridge 106
to discharge ingredient, control discharge of the ingredient from
the cartridge 106 or perform any other desired function. E.g., the
interface can include an electrical connection that allows a valve
on the cartridge 106 to open, preventing the ingredient from
leaking when the cartridge 106 is not in use.
[0051] One of skill in the art will appreciate that the interface
108 can be configured to let ingredients into the mixture
sequentially or according to a timer or other mechanism. E.g., the
interface 108 can allow distilled water to enter the appliance,
then other ingredients then essential oils only after the mixture
has reached a certain temperature. For example, the interface 108
can have an opening that rotates or moves as needed to allow entry
of proper ingredients.
[0052] FIG. 1 moreover shows that the appliance 100 can include one
or more valves 110. The valves are attached to the interface 108
and are configured to measure and regulate the flow of ingredients
from the cartridge 106 to the reaction chamber 102. That is, the
valves are used to measure the flow of ingredients into the
reaction chamber.
[0053] FIG. 1 also shows that the appliance 100 can include an
output port 112. The output port 112 can allow the final product,
or an intermediate product, to be removed from the reaction chamber
102. For example, the output port 112 can include a valve or other
opening that opens to allow the reaction chamber 102 to be
evacuated. The output port 112 can be part of the interface 108 or
can be a separate mechanism. For example, in the embodiment used as
an example previously, a valve can be placed on one end of the
pouch. The valve can be opened and the rollers could squeeze all
the way together acting like a squeegee rolling down the length of
the pouch and cleaning all of the product out of the reaction
chamber, and preparing the pouch for a new batch. The output port
112 can be connected to a desired container. For example, the
container can be a bottle for liquid soap, a mold for bar soap, a
lidded Container for balm etc. The output port 112 can identify the
type and size of some containers, and can be used to dispense final
ingredients (like exfoliate) that do not need to react with other
ingredients or ingredients (like scents or effervescent) that might
be damaged by the reaction with other raw ingredients. I.e., the
output port 112 can receive not only the final product from the
reaction chamber 102, the output can also receive final ingredients
from a cartridge 106.
[0054] FIG. 1 also shows that the appliance 100 can include a
control board 114. The control board 114 can control other portions
of the appliance 100. For example, the control board 114 can
control the interface 108, and the valves 110 therein, to control
the amount of ingredient flowing from the cartridge 106 to the
reaction chamber 104. track the type and amount of inputs and
outputs. Likewise, the control board 114 can monitor the reaction
occurring in the reaction chamber 102 via the sensors 104 and the
dispensing of the product from the output port 112.
[0055] One of skill in the art will appreciate that the control
board 114 can be used to received commands from a user. For
example, the control panel may be wi-fi enabled, Bluetooth enabled,
include a user interface or receive user commands in any other
desired manner. For example, a user Interface may be used to turn
on and off the appliance, control the appliance, adjust batch
settings (including batch size, reaction time, ratio of
ingredients, batch viscosity, amount of color, amount of fragrance,
amount of abrasives, amount of active ingredient, etc.). Likewise,
a user interface can allow a user to download, create, modify,
save, share, recall, or upload batch settings (i.e. recipes),
compile, save batch settings, or order ingredients for selected
recipes. In addition, the user may allow linking with online
accounts, websites, payment processors etc. Moreover, the user
interface can allow the user to unlock hoppers, identify new
ingredients and ingredient interface position or show batch
status.
[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of one possible
embodiment of the appliance 100 for producing a personal care
product. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows that the reaction chamber 102
can be shaped as a flexible pouch, with a pair of rollers 202 both
mix the personal care product and can be used to measure properties
of the personal care product, such as the viscosity. The reaction
chamber 102 includes an output port 112 that can be opened to allow
the personal care product to be extracted.
[0057] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *